Preparing for Christmas at St. Peter Mancroft

On Saturday 1st December 2012 I attended the Mancroft Music Autumn Recital Preparing for Christmas at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich. This event was part of Familiar Fields, celebrating Benjamin Britten's life and music in Norfolk and Suffolk. Performing were Julian Haggett - organ, Rhian Hanson - harp, Jody Butler - director. The Girls' Choir, Choral Scholars and Organ Scholars.

The programme consisted of Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist BuxWV 209 - Buxtehude, Creator of the stars of night - Mode iv melody arr. John Scott, Long ago prophets knew - Piae Cantiones arr. Malcolm Archer, How beautiful upon the mountains - John Stainer, Lift up your heads, O ye gates - William Mathias, Chancon dans la Nuit - Salzedo, Corpus Christi Carol - Britten, King Herod and the Cock - Britten, Praeludium in F - Lubeck, Nocturne from Suite for Organ - Clucas and A Ceremony of Carols - Britten.

This was a splendid concert at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich which took place the day before Advent Sunday, the beginning of the season of Advent, when we prepare for the coming of the Lord at Christmas, and ultimately the 'end of time'. The highlight was Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols which has become a tradition to be performed at St. Peter Mancroft to mark the start of Advent.

Matthew Pitts Organ Recital

On Saturday 29th October 2011 I attended the latest Mancroft Music Autumn Recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich featuring Organist Matthew Pitts from Yorkshire who between 2006 and 2009 was Organist at this church making it a kind of homecoming.

The programme consisted of Praeludium in E minor BuxWV 142 - Buxtehude, Trio Sonata No.1 in E flat major BWV 525 - Bach, Vom Himmel hoch da komm'ich her BWV 700 - Bach, Vater unser im Himmelreich BWV 7377 - Bach, Praembulum in E major - Lubeck, Prelude and Fugue - Succo, Pastorale on 'Nun danket alle Gott' from op.46 - Herzogenberg and Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 538 - Bach.

This was another great example of music being provided for the people of Norwich by Mancroft Music, giving everyone an opportunity to experience these splendid pieces in such a wonderful setting. Matthew Pitts didn't let us down as he played brilliantly for about a hour.